A couple of years ago, no one would have thought of adding a camera to their hunting gear. But times have changed drastically, and a number of hunters now like filming their hunting trips.
GoPro cameras are ideal for this type of filming. They allow users to capture all of their exciting outdoor activities, from sky-diving to hunting, without losing the adventurous touch of the trip itself.
If you too are planning to add a GoPro camera to your hunting gear, but aren’t sure which one to pick, do not worry; this article will provide you with all the information you need to pick the right one for yourself.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for GoPros For Hunting
- OUR TOP PICK: GoPro Hero4 Black
- RUNNER-UP: GoPro Hero7 Black
- BEST GOPRO BIRD HUNTING: GoPro HERO5 Black
Comparison of the Best GoPros For Hunting
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What Makes a GoPro Great for Hunting?
While you are picking a GoPro to complete your hunting gear, you need to keep in mind that certain features help the camera perform better for the specific feature. Here are some features to keep in mind while looking for a GoPro for hunting.
Waterproofing
When you head out for hunting, you are in a controlled environment. Water, be it on the ground or falling from the sky, could always be encountered. And you must always be ready for it and so must be your GoPro. This is why you should always pick a product that guarantees sufficient waterproofing to handle the harsh environment one faces while hunting.
Setup
A hunting trip and the process of hunting itself require a lot of work. You do not want your GoPro to be a hindrance in between. Therefore, the mounting and setting up your device is very important. You need to pick a device that is well compatible with your tripod stand and does not require constant adjustments.
Storage Capacity
Hunting trips can be very long. And if you intend to document all of it, there will be a huge recording that will require great storage space. If the camera records higher quality videos, even larger storage capacity would be required. Therefore, you should choose one that comes with expandable memory and use an appropriate memory card for your use.
Can Any GoPro Be Used For Hunting?
There are many GoPros available on the market. And since they are all designed to capture outdoor activities, can one use any of these models for hunting trips? The answer is yes; you can use any GoPro for your hunting trip. It is a video recording camera and will serve the purpose of recording videos.
But will they all perform well? No, hunting is a unique sport, and capturing it requires unique specifications. Not every GoPro would be ideal for the job. While you can use any of these models, you should not. If you’re going to invest in a GoPro, invest in one that gives you the best results.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
Weight: The weight of the GoPro.
Dimensions: The length, width, and height of the GoPro.
Battery Life: The length of time the GoPro can operate on a single charge.
Connection Types: Which types of devices the GoPro can connect to both wired and wirelessly.
Image Stabilization: Whether the GoPro can automatically adjust for movement to stabilize the image. This reduces blurring due to shaking or undesired motion.
Max Resolution/Megapixels: The quality of both the still images (measured in megapixels) and the maximum video resolution (measured in pixels).
Review of the Best GoPros For Hunting
Now that you know what to look for in a GoPro for your hunting gear, you can finally pick one for yourself. In order to help you save time, we went through some products and picked out the best ones for you. So, all you need to do is pick one that checks all boxes on your list of requirements.
Best Overall and Best for the Money:
GoPro Hero4 Black
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Hunters who have tried this product on their trips have found it perfect for the job. While many of them agree that the battery does not last long enough, they also believe that with some extra batteries on hand, this GoPro will provide you with the best functionality for a hunting trip.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Hunting and recording during the daytime are what any GoPro will allow you. But if you want to take it a mile ahead and record your hunts at nighttime, then this product is the one you need, and that is why it stands out to us. It not only provides top-quality video capturing capabilities during the daytime but also maintains this quality for nighttime shots.
The night lapse feature allows you to record clear shots of nighttime and provides complete control over the shots' exposure. So if you prefer keeping your shots close to natural with low exposure, you do not need to struggle with the default settings and change them the way you want to.
Bottom Line
Take your hunting videos a step ahead with this Hero4. You can now record in broad daylight or the middle of the night, whenever you want to. And if you are thinking of the extra expenses this might cost you, all you need to worry about is getting an extra pair of batteries.
Product Specs
Weight:
4.2 lbs
Dimensions:
2.8 x 2.79 x 1.53"
Battery Life:
1h 33m
Connection Types:
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB
Image Stabilization:
No
Max Resolution/Megapixels:
4k30, 2.7k60 and 1080P120 video, 720P240 slow motion; 12MP
Runner-up:
GoPro Hero7 Black
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Those that have tried this product out for themselves have not been disappointed in any way. They have come to love every feature that it offers. They believe it is a well-designed unit that provides the ideal functionality along with durability and that is more than they can ask for
Why it Stands Out to Us
The list of features that this product offers is a long one. All the features perform their best. But what caught our attention was the HyperSmooth image stabilization offered by this model.
Image stabilization is very important for recording videos, especially when you are recording outdoors where the movement and shakiness are a lot more and comparatively uncontrolled. Such outstanding image stabilization is not included in most of the other GoPros. However, with this product, you will never have to complain about a shaky video or images ever again.
Bottom Line
If the Hero4 doesn’t seem to be the ideal product for you, then the Hero7 may be able to provide you with all that you need. It comes at a slightly greater cost, but it also comes with a ton of features that greatly enhance your hunt documenting processes. With this, you can hunt and record like a professional.
Product Specs
Weight:
4.2 oz
Dimensions:
1.75 x 2.44 x 1.26"
Battery Life:
1.5 – 2 hours
Connection Types:
USB
Image Stabilization:
Digital
Max Resolution/Megapixels:
4k 720p; 12MP
Best GoPro Bird Hunting:
GoPro HERO5 Black
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
If you hear what the users of this product have to say about it, you would be convinced to invest in it as well. Those who have tried it out for themselves agree that not having a charger is a little frustrating, but once they got one for their product, there was nothing that they could complain about. They had nothing bad to say about the build or the performance of the camera.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The fact that this product does not come with a charger is indeed a drawback. But, a charger that is compatible with it is not hard to find, and once you do, you will find that it charges up fast. Even if you start with 0% battery, the product takes no time at all to charge. Once that is done, the charging lasts for quite a long time.
Unlike other cameras where you need to carry extra batteries, this product will provide you with longer battery life, so you do not have to deal with changing batteries in the middle of your trip.
Bottom Line
Heading out for a bird hunting trip? Take this model of GoPro with you and enhance your hunting experience with a professional-quality video of your hunting being documented. This product provides everything that you need in a GoPro. Can’t believe us? Try it out for yourself.
Product Specs
Weight:
11.2 oz
Dimensions:
2.44 x 1.77 x 1.3″
Battery Life:
1h 30m
Connection Types:
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Image Stabilization:
Yes
Max Resolution/Megapixels:
4k; 12MP
Best GoPro Waterfowl Hunting:
GoPro HERO Session Waterproof
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers that have invested in this model have found nothing but good things to say about it. They have loved all its features and the performance it provides. Hunters have also claimed that this is the ideal unit to take with them on hunting trips, without the worry of damaging it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
All the products listed on this list are at the top of the market. They provide features that are better than all the others. But what makes this product worthy of being on this list is not its fancy features, but its simple operation.
Many GoPros require a great amount of time for the users to get the hang of their operation, and it makes them even more time to get comfortable with their use. But this product is different. It allows easy use and comfortable recording modes right from the get-go, so users do not have to struggle with the unit at all.
Bottom Line
Looking for the best GoPro for waterfowl hunting that is also the easiest to use? This product is just for you. Invest in this simple GoPro camera, find a hunting spot, set it up, and with just the click of a button, you will be on your way to recording professional-quality videos of your hunting trip.
Product Specs
Weight:
2.56 oz
Dimensions:
1.49 x 1.49 x 1.43"
Battery Life:
2 hours
Connection Types:
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Image Stabilization:
No
Max Resolution/Megapixels:
1440p30; 10MP
5. GoPro Hero4 Silver
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users that have invested in this product will tell you that it is the absolute best for any hunter out there looking to record their hunts. With its build-quality and specs, users have found nothing to complain about it. They all think that it is absolutely worth the price that it comes at.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When there’s a product being recommended by all of its users, we doubt there is anything to not love. But what really makes it the top product for us is the fact that you can use it on land as well as underwater.
This model comes with a waterproof casing designed sufficiently to keep the camera protected from any water and the damage that it can cause. So now, your best hunting shots do not have to be restricted just to the land.
Bottom Line
Be it capturing pictures on your hunting trip, or recording a video of your best shots, the GoPro Hero4 is the perfect model for everyone. Document your hunt above the water level or even below it, with no compromise on the recordings' quality. What more can we ask for?
Product Specs
Weight:
5.1 oz
Dimensions:
1.6 x 2.25 x 1.12"
Battery Life:
1 h 40m
Connection Types:
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Image Stabilization:
No
Max Resolution/Megapixels:
1080p60 and 720p120; 12MP
GoPro Hunting Tips
If this is your first time using a GoPro while hunting, we want you to experience the best of these products. Here are a few tips that may help you with your hunting trips where you take your GoPro with you to help you out.
Stay Organized
As mentioned earlier, hunting takes up a lot of effort. While you are out on a hunting trip, keeping your GoPro and all of its accessories organized during the travel can help you save yourself from extra work. When everything is kept organized, mounting and setting up becomes a lot easier, so you can concentrate on hunting more.
Flexible Tripod
A normal tripod will allow you to mount your GoPro and use it for documenting your hunting trip, but if you want a better shot that captures all the perfect angles, then investing in a flexible tripod would be a smarter decision. It will allow you to place your GoPro in trees or in a boat, and that too without any hassles at all.
Protection and Precaution
When you invest in a product, you try to pick one that offers good durability. But even if your device is known to be durable, you should take sufficient measures for its protection and take great precautions while using it. The best protection for your unit would be to keep it in a quality carrying case and keep it away from any position where it may be knocked over.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
While the above reviews may make you feel like you know everything that you need to, for these products, there are still a few things that you need to keep in mind. Here are a few cautious considerations to remember while you're choosing a GoPro for yourself.
Expense
While the price of these GoPros may vary from one product to another, in general, GoPros are expensive devices. They are more expensive than standard cameras available in the market. This is because they perform better than others with better features. So when you are looking at these products, make sure to remember there is no cheap way out.
Accessories
GoPros are just recording devices that you will need to document your hunting trip. But to be able to get the best of these outdoors, you will have to invest in some accessories. A few of these products come with the accessories, but not always.
Compatibility
You may have a tripod or mount lying around that you think you will use with a GoPro you purchase. But before you rely on the accessories you already have, make sure that they are compatible with the product that you plan to invest in. If you find out that your accessories are not compatible at the last minute, your investment may do you no good.
Capture it! (Source)
How to Film Hunts Using a GoPro
If this is the first GoPro that you are investing in, you may not be very familiar with the use of these products while hunting. In order to help you out with your first use, here is a quick guide on how to document your hunt using a GoPro.
- Choose the Right Spot. Once you have invested in a GoPro and brought it with you on a hunting trip, before you begin, try finding a good spot for your hunt as well as recording. The ideal place would be one where there are no hindrances in sight and nothing blocking the view. If you want to capture a bigger area in the frame, a spot in the tree would be perfect.
- Mount Your Camera. Now that you have found the right spot, go ahead and mount your camera on the tripod. When you do so, make sure that the setup is stable and won’t tumble over during the hunt. You may also choose to mount the unit on your gun barrel if you want closer shots of your hunt.
- Use Blackout Housing. Once your camera starts recording, there would be blinking and flashing lights being emitted. These flashes may scare your prey. To avoid that, make sure that you use blackout housing to mute those flashes and allow your prey to come closer for a better shot.
- Get Recording. Once you've got your GoPro set in place, all you need to do is turn on the recording and move on to your hunt. The unit will flawlessly document all the details of your hunting trip, and you can later review them all.
If you still do not understand how to use your GoPro for hunting, you may refer to the video linked below for more help.
Conclusion
A GoPro is a great addition to your hunting gear if you like recording your hunts. All you need is the right product for the intended purpose. You can pick a suitable product just by taking a closer look at its features, and with just that, you can get going.
People Also Ask
Still, got some questions swimming in your mind? Do not worry; here are a few questions that other users have also asked. They have been answered for you, so you have a better understanding of these products.
How Do You Put the GoPro on the Head Strap?
A GoPro can be mounted in a number of different ways. Mounting it on a head strap is one of those ways. If you want to put your GoPro on your head strap, all you need to do is get a clip attachment that allows the unit to hang on to your head strap.
How Do You Attach a GoPro to a Compound Bow?
Attaching your GoPro to a compound bow would require the parts to be available. It usually attaches to the stabilizer. The GoPro can be easily attached by threading it through the 5/16 holes present on the stabilizer. Make sure that the product is extended at a sufficient distance to get a good shot.
How Much Does a GoPro Cost?
The price of a GoPro may vary from one product to another, but, in general, they are a bit expensive. If you are looking to invest in a good model, it will cost you more than a standard video recording camera. These products range from $150 to $300 but provide functionality that is worth the price.
Best Place to Put a GoPro When Hunting
The ideal place to position your GoPro depends upon what you are hunting and what kind of shot you intend to record. If you want a close-up shot of your prey while you hunt, then mounting your GoPro on your head strap or weapon is ideal. But if you want a better view, placing it on a tree can do the trick.
What Resolution to Use For GoPro Hunting Videos?
The resolution for your GoPro hunting videos is more of a personal preference, but there are certain scenarios where particular resolutions are preferred. If you are working in low light, then you should keep the GoPro at 30 fps. If you keep your auto-low-light off, you can use it at 60 fps as well.
Can a GoPro Be Attached to Any Weapon?
A GoPro is ideally designed to be attached to some weapons, but the product you choose may not be compatible with all weapons. However, there are a number of accessories available that can help you attach a GoPro to different kinds of weapons.
